» Mark Prior, Padres Agree to $1 Million, 1 Year Deal

Mark Prior, Padres Agree to $1 Million, 1 Year Deal

The San Diego Padres announced a $1 million, 1 year deal with free agent oft-injured former Chicago Cubs starter Mark Prior according to the team’s Wednesday press release.

Prior, who was a second year sensation going 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and striking out 245 batters while walking only 50 while leading the Cubs to the NL Central Division title in 2003.

But amidst a string of injuries at least as long as his righthanded pitching arm spanning from mid-season 2003 through the 2007 season, Prior saw abreviated service in 2004, came back in 2005 with a decent season recording an 11-7 mark with a 3.67 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings but his ERA mushroomed to 7.21 in 2006 with a 1-6 record. Prior was out with for the entire 2007 season having had shoulder surgery in April and is only expected to return to the MLB in May, 2008.

Prior received many offers ranging from minor league contracts to lucrative multi-year offers but chose the Padres as Union-Tribune staff writer Bill Center reports;

Not that the Padres exactly outbid other clubs for the 27-year-old right-hander.

Over the past two weeks, 13 other clubs contacted Prior. The offers for what many teams viewed as damaged goods – remember, Prior missed the entire 2007 season – ranged from minor league contracts to multiseason deals.

“Houston made a valiant attempt,” said Prior, who also said St. Louis, the New York Mets and Texas Rangers made lucrative proposals.

But Prior opted to come home for a variety of reasons, including – in no particular order – San Diego (where he lives year-round); the pitcher-friendly dimensions of Petco Park; the Padres training staff; a chance to pitch with former teammate Greg Maddux, Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, and the chance to pitch on a team managed by a former pitcher and former pitching coach.

“Bud Black was one of the reasons why San Diego was such a good fit,” said Prior. “Playing for someone who understands what a pitcher goes through . . . that was another aspect that was definitely appealing.”

The acquisition of San Diego hometown boy Prior makes the Padres starting rotation, which is rounded out by young Chris Young, one of the most imposing in the National League on paper.

ESPN’s Buster Olney records Padres’ management’s reactions to Prior’s acquisition and recollects Prior’s 2003 post-season with the Cubs;

“Mark Prior is a competitor and is working hard to regain the form that made him one of the great young pitchers in the game,” general manager Kevin Towers told The Associated Press. “We are confident he is going to help us in our rotation this season. It’s exciting that Mark is coming home to San Diego to pitch for the Padres.”

”I think it’s a great day for the Padres and for Mark,” manager Bud Black said. “It strengthens an already strong pitching staff. Whenever he’s able to take the mound, we feel we have an impact guy to step in and help our staff.”

He has been throwing on flat ground, and to date, has been free of pain since his surgery.

In 2003, Prior nearly pitched the Cubs to their first World Series appearance since 1945. He took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning against Florida in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series before the Marlins rallied for eight runs and an 8-3 victory at Wrigley Field.

Florida also won Game 7 in Chicago and went on to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.